Middletown police shoot, kill 2 pit bulls as they nab suspect

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown police officers shot two pit bulls late Wednesday morning after the owner set one of the dogs on them, police said.

Police were called to 98 Wisner Ave., responding to a report of a man screaming, and when they talked with the resident, Shawn Beach, 32, they found that Port Jervis police had a warrant out for him. When they told Beach they were going to arrest him, police said, he ran to a corner of the kitchen with a large pit bull and said he would not be arrested and would release the dog if they tried. Two officers tried to arrest Beach, and he released the dog, which lunged at the two officers. A third officer shot the dog to protect them, police said.

Police used a Taser to subdue Beach. As they were handcuffing him, another pit bull escaped from a cage in the kitchen and charged at an officer, who shot the dog to protect himself.

Both dogs died. None of the officers were bitten; one suffered a minor back injury but is not expected to miss any work.

Beach is being charged with attempted assault, resisting arrest, plus the outstanding warrant from Port Jervis.